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For a blank plan, which contains the user guide and glossary, go to www.bdc.ca
Table of Contents Your business plan is divided into the following sections:
Description of your business__2 Major demographic, economic, social and cultural factors_____2 Major players (suppliers, distributors, clients)__________2 Nature of the industry________2 Trends in the industry:_______3 Government Regulations_____3 Market segment ____________3 Products & services________3 Pricing and distribution_____3 Market Trends____________3 Implications or risk factors___4 Competitors and type of competition______________4 Competitors' strengths and weaknesses______________4 Competitive advantage_____5
Sales & Marketing Plan Customers________________6 Pricing & distribution_______7 Suppliers_________________6 Customer service policy____7 Advertising & promotion______7
Operating Plan Business location & requirements / advantages / lease details_____8 Equipment / technology / R&D / environmental aspects__________8
Human Resources Plan Key employees____________9 Policies & procedures______9
Action Plan Action plan & timetable_____10
Executive Summary A brief description of your project, the financing required, and additional information that will make it easy for people to read your plan_____________________________________________11 ANNEX: Financial Plan
PAGE 1 LEGAL NAME Doors to the World, Inc. TRADING NAME Doors to the World, Inc. BUSINESS ADDRESS 2020 Sommerhill Drive Suite Nº 203 New Barton, ON N20 1T1 PHONE (519) 555-2020 FAX (519) 555-1010 In this section, you give a brief description of your company and where it stands in the marketplace. E-MAIL
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DESCRIPTION OF YOUR BUSINESS Doors to the World manufactures custom wooden doors and windows, primarily for residential construction. Doors (solid wood, wood/glass or wood/brass) account for 90% of gross sales while wood-frame windows account for 10%. Our products are sold to Southern Ontario retailers with an increasing portion going to exports. The company started by selling to the new home market in 1988 but in response to changes in the marketplace is now a leading supplier for the up-scale renovation market
MAJOR DEMOGRAPHIC, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS Our products fit well into overall social and economic trends. Renovation investment has continued to increase as the population ages: people tend to stay more at home and invest in their comfort (cocooning). In addition, our market niche is fairly well protected against fluctuations in the real estate market: high-quality doors and windows add both resale value and comfort. In 2001, renovation and alterations accounted for 38.7% of household dollars and additions accounted for 24.7%. Further, the appeal of wood, a natural product, remains strong in today's markets. Its warmth, solid look and silky feel are intangible factors favouring our specialized products.
MAJOR PLAYERS (suppliers, distributors, clients) The manufacturing of custom wooden doors and windows is very concentrated, with a few manufacturers occupying 75% of the market. However, the renovation and construction markets have traditionally been very fragmented, with a large number of small operators, both for clients and suppliers. There are three major distributors in Ontario: Beaver Lumber, Cashway and Castle Building, which together have more than 200 outlets. They purchase large quantities for their network. Home renovation mega-stores (Home Depot, for example) have made steady progress into the market, especially in larger urban areas.
NATURE OF THE INDUSTRY The millwork industry is stable and mature. Manufacturers produce a wide range of fabricated millwork, including wood millwork commodities with metal and plastic overlays. Within the industry, in terms of value, doors (30%) represent the largest segment followed by windows (including wood, aluminum, metal and vinyl clad, 25%). The niche market is significant, representing 25% of all sales.
TRENDS IN THE INDUSTRY While the millwork industry generally follows fluctuations in new home construction, repair and remodelling investment remains steady. The market for custom products such as those from Doors to the World tends to be better protected from fluctuations.
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS There are no significant regulations for this industry.
THE MARKET MARKET SEGMENT The repair and remodelling segment has become the most important market for millwork products with a value of $12.8 billion CAN (2001 Statistics Canada data) of which $1.2 billion was spent on windows and door replacement and additions. Together, the provinces of British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario represent 87% of the Canadian total, and the U.S. market is approximately 10 times this value.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES Doors to the World provides superior quality custom-made doors and windows with unique glass carvings and brass inlays. Our products target the mid-to-high-end of the market. In Canada, Doors to the World has competition for doors from small artisan door makers. In windows, competition comes from aluminum/vinyl clad and solid vinyl makers. With the advent of superstores, Doors to the World must compete for floor space and point-of-sale advertising.
PRICING AND DISTRIBUTION Compared to its competitors, our pricing is in the top 30% of the industry. Products are available through standard retailers in the industry and to superstore renovation outlets. Doors to the World delivers to the retailers' central warehouses, thus capitalizing on existing distribution channels. Marketing efforts are concentrated in Ontario, Quebec and New York State. Presently 30% of the company's sales are made to retailers in New York State.
MARKET TRENDS In 2001 (latest statistics available), 3 out of 4 households spent money on renovation; this percentage has been fairly constant since 1989. Customers have become increasingly sophisticated and seeking higher-quality materials and workmanship. The demand for interior doors is expected to increase over the next five years as the renovation market continues to grow. Wooden doors in particular are forecast to see fast growth, especially in the U.S. where construction and renovation is becoming more upscale and houses larger.
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